閣

閣 is a phono-semantic compound composed of:

門 (문 문) — “door, gate,” conveying the meaning “building” or “enclosed structure,”

各 (각각 각) — phonetic element, providing pronunciation gak / gé and implying separation or distinction among rooms or chambers.

Thus, 閣 originally signified “a structure enclosed by doors,” later refined to “an upper room or hall.”

樓閣 (누각) — multi-storied pavilion or tower

內閣 (내각) — cabinet, council of ministers

書閣 (서각) — library pavilion

文閣 (문각) — scholarly or literary hall

寶閣 (보각) — temple pavilion for sacred objects

閣下 (각하) — “Your Excellency,” formal address (lit. “below the pavilion”)

閣員 (각원) — cabinet member, minister

In ancient China and Korea, a 閣 was typically a two-story wooden structure built within palace or temple precincts — used for observation, study, or ritual.

The elevated height symbolized wisdom, oversight, and refinement.

Famous examples include:

문수보전(文殊寶閣) in Buddhist temples,

청연각(淸燕閣), a scenic pavilion for poetry gatherings,

교서각(校書閣) in palaces, where texts were edited and stored.

During later dynasties, the term evolved from physical “inner hall” to “inner council” — hence 內閣, literally “inner chamber,” meaning the executive governing body.

This usage persists in modern East Asia, e.g., 일본 내각 (日本內閣) or 한국 국무원 (國務院).